After Apple, Google is set to start manufacturing its Pixel smartphones in India, with plans to export them to Europe and the US. According to a report by Moneycontrol, Google’s move aligns with its launch of the Pixel 9 series in India on August 13.
Production Details
Google has initiated production trials in Tamil Nadu with Foxconn, the same company that manufactures iPhones in India for Apple. Foxconn and Dixon Technologies will handle the manufacturing in India. Foxconn will focus on the Pro models, while Dixon Technologies will produce the base variants. A formal announcement from Google is anticipated soon.
Export Strategy
Google plans to make India a key hub for manufacturing Pixel phones, initially exporting to Europe, followed by the US market. The production is expected to commence in September, with exports starting once production stabilizes. The demand for Pixel phones in India is low, prompting the company to leverage Production Linked Incentive (PLI) benefits to export most of the locally produced devices.
Industry Insights
Tarun Pathak of Counterpoint Research commented, “Any manufacturing operation would require a certain scale for commercial sense. With less than 1 percent share in India, Google will need export volumes of Pixel devices to scale its manufacturing.” Google’s major markets include the USA and key European countries, where other OEMs already export their smartphones from India.
Upcoming Pixel 9 Series
The Pixel 9 series, set to debut on August 13, is expected to feature a faster ultrasonic fingerprint scanner. The Pro model will likely have a triple rear camera setup, while the base model will come with a dual rear camera setup.
Conclusion
Google’s decision to manufacture Pixel smartphones in India and export them to Europe and the US marks a significant step in expanding its global manufacturing footprint. This move will not only boost local production but also enable Google to tap into PLI benefits and cater to its major markets effectively.
